No surprise in either of the two games this weekend. Both of the conference leaders came away victorious and reaffirmed their bids to be championship worthy. Philadelphia demolished the Rumble in the largest scoring difference on the year for league, while Portland went into Seattle and came away with a closely contested victory. These two teams are the clear favorites to become each conference's number one seed and could be the teams that would end up battling for the MLU Championship. The other four teams were on byes this week as we prepare for the playoff push.
#1 Philadelphia Spinners: 5-1
Last Week: #1 Change: +0
The Spinners are taking their time on the podium with ease. A dominating, message sending win over New York puts them one step closer to clinching their first ever playoff berth in the MLU. In the game this week, you barely got to see the Philadelphia O-line because the defense was putting on a show. In order to get reps there we mixed lines, similar to what we saw in D.C. for a majority of last season. Every player on the game-day roster saw at least seven points of action, except Patrick Diviney who suffered an injury early in the game.
#2 Portland Stags: 6-1
Last Week: #2 Change: +0
Another close game for the Stags but unlike last week they came out on top. However this week they convinced me that they are championship material. Giving up a Callahan to Seattle and going down 12-13 in the game, the Rainmakers had all the momentum in the world to take control of the match. Portland responded with three straight breaks ending the threat of the Rainmakers getting an upset. Not any team can respond in the manner the Stags did and being one victory away from making the playoffs, Portland can cruise for the remainder of the regular season.
#3 D.C. Current: 3-3
Last Week: 3 Change: +0
I did the math this weekend and I got the top three teams tied at the end of the season. If there is a tie-breaker at the end of the year, which will be decided by point differential, they are far behind. Philadelphia is now +21, Boston +10, and D.C. is at -1 with only have one home game left. If the Current are going to want to have a chance to defend their 2014 Championship, they are going to have to earn it in the upcoming weeks.
#4 Boston Whitecaps: 3-3
Last Week: 5 Change: +1
Could not ask for a better way to end the season if you are the Whitecaps. They have three home games remaining out of the four games left and in two of those games they are playing the Rumble . When the season may come down to point differential Boston is sitting in the best position. Each of the top three teams in the East control their own destiny; if you win out, you are guaranteed a spot in the Eastern Conference Championship Game.
#5 Seattle Rainmakers: 3-3
Last Week: #4 Change: -1
This is going to be one that Seattle probably wishes they had back, but you cannot blame them for the loss. They gave Portland almost everything they had but the Stags still found a way to win. Things looked to be going well for the Rainmakers, who were missing their offensive leader Mark Burton, by matching the Stags point for point. Daniel Trytiak stepped up to have his best game of the year for the team who at times looked to be capable of knocking off the Stags. A Callahan by Clay Dewey-Valentine seemed to swing the game in favor of Seattle but the team then got broken three straight times. That would put Portland up for good as Seattle could not cut into the deficit.
#6 Vancouver Nighthawks: 1-4
Last Week: #6 Change: +0
The Rainmakers loss really helps the Nighthawks as they will look to comeback in the West. Fortunately for them, they have the most games remaining with five (three of them being at home). You can never count this team out because they have some of the top players in the MLU. Also if you remember last season they won their final four games of the regular season to take the #2 seed in the West.
#7 San Francisco Dogfish: 2-4
Last Week: #7 Change: +0
Despite being behind the Rainmakers by only a game, the Dogfish will have the most difficult time making the postseason of all the teams in the West. There will only be one more game in San Fran this year out of the four remaining on the schedule. In order to get back to the Western Conference Championship, the Dogfish must win on the road, which they have not done since June 22, 2013.
#8 New York Rumble: 1-5
Last Week: #8 Change: +0
Earlier this year, things looked very optimistic for the Rumble; big win against D.C., majority of the team returning, but this past weekend things looked ugly. To be fair, New York was missing a ton of key pieces in their offense, which clearly showed. To take a quote from Dusty Rhodes, "they were their own worst enemy." Drops, bad decisions on defense made for a bad night as the Rumble lost by 10+ points for the third time in franchise history, leading the league. For now the Rumble once again will be the spoiler team that will be looking to take a game away from a team battling to make the playoffs.
Final Thoughts
Everyone is back in action this upcoming week with every matchup in the league having intrigue. On the east coast, Boston hosts New York as they look to catch up on the Spinners point differential lead. A loss by the Rumble would officially eliminate them from this year's playoffs. A Week 6 rematch will take place in Philadelphia as the Current come to town. The result, either a win or a loss will be a huge factor for D.C. as the season begins to wind down.
On the opposite coast San Francisco goes to Portland looking to duplicate their upset from two weeks prior. Seattle meanwhile will travel to Vancouver looking to take a slight lead for the final playoff spot, but for the Nighthawks this is now a must-win game.
**Editors note: Topher Davis was made the Stags Weekend Star after the game stats were updated. Previously it was Cody Bjorklund (2 goals, 4 assist). Daniel Trytiak's (Seattle) stats were also updated.**
On the opposite coast San Francisco goes to Portland looking to duplicate their upset from two weeks prior. Seattle meanwhile will travel to Vancouver looking to take a slight lead for the final playoff spot, but for the Nighthawks this is now a must-win game.
**Editors note: Topher Davis was made the Stags Weekend Star after the game stats were updated. Previously it was Cody Bjorklund (2 goals, 4 assist). Daniel Trytiak's (Seattle) stats were also updated.**